Lawn mower with suspended ergonomic seat

RELATED APPLICATIONS

0001This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/084,386, filed on Apr. 11, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,033,354 and entitled “Lawn Mower with Suspended Ergonomic Seat,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/214,023, filed Jun. 16, 2008 and entitled “Lawn Mower with Suspended Ergonomic Seat,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,224. The entire contents of these applications and patent are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

0002There has been a trend in the power lawn mower field of making riding lawn mowers more compact and more maneuverable. However, this is often achieved at the expense of operator comfort.

0003For example, standing mowers are becoming increasingly popular. In this type of mower, a small platform is usually provided at the rear of the mower, upon which the operator stands while operating the mower. One typically cannot operate a standing mower for extended periods of time, because the constant standing can become very tiresome on the operator's legs. Moreover, the standing platforms of such mowers typically do not have any means of absorbing the shock caused by the terrain. Thus, the shock caused by any uneven terrain is borne by the operator himself, primarily in the operator's legs and back. This can lead to rapid fatigue in the operator. In some cases, standing mowers are simply not an option for individuals with back and leg-joint problems.

0004In addition to shock being transferred to the operator via a foot platform, shock may also be transferred from the mower control, such as a steering wheel or a handlebar. Such mower controls also do not have any means for absorbing the shock caused by uneven terrain. Instead, the shock is borne by the operator's arms, which leads to further fatigue of the operator.

0005Operator fatigue can also be an issue in seated mowers. For example, while a typical seated mower, in which the seat is located over the cutting deck, may have a spring-supported seat, neither the foot platform nor the mower control provide any relief from the vibrations caused by the terrain or the engine. Moreover, the space occupied by the operator's legs is typically wide open, such that the operator's legs tend to bounce from side to side, particularly when traveling over rough terrain or on a side-hill incline.

SUMMARY

0006Some embodiments of the invention provide a lawn mower including a frame, a seat or operator station that supports at least a portion of the operator's body weight, one or more handles coupled to the seat or operator station, and a suspension unit coupled between the frame and the seat or operator station. The lawn mower can also include one or more pivot members with a first portion coupled to the frame at a pivot location forward of the seat or operator station and a second portion coupled to the seat or operator station. The one or more pivot members can allow the seat or operator station and the one or more handles to move with respect to the frame while the suspension unit absorbs a portion of shock caused by riding over the uneven terrain.

0007In some embodiments of the invention, the lawn mower can include a frame located within a substantially horizontal plane and a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel positioned along a drive axis that is located within a substantially vertical plane. The lawn mower can include a seat positioned at least partially between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel and at least partially along the drive axis. The seat can include a rear portion positioned higher than a front portion in order to be declined with respect to the horizontal plane so that the operator's upper torso leans forward at an angle with respect to the vertical plane when the operator is sitting on the seat. In some embodiments, the lawn mower can also include one or more leg supports that are angled with respect to the horizontal plane so that a portion of the operator's body weight is supported by the one or more leg supports when the operator is sitting on the seat and when the operator's legs contact the one or more leg supports. In some embodiments, the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel are independently controlled to provide a substantially zero-turn radius for the lawn mower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a front perspective view of a mower according to one embodiment of the invention.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side view of the mower of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a rear view of the mower of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a top view of the mower of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a bottom view of the mower of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a rear perspective view of the mower of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is another rear perspective view of the mower of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is another side view of the mower of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> taken along line <b>8</b>-<b>8</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> with an operator in position to operate the mower.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a perspective view of a speed control lever and handle controls according to one embodiment of the invention.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a front view of the speed control lever and handle controls of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> is a side view of the speed control lever and handle controls of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0019Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following figures. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-8</figref> illustrate a mower <b>10</b> according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the mower <b>10</b> includes a frame <b>11</b>, a left front wheel <b>12</b>, a right front wheel <b>14</b>, a left rear drive wheel <b>16</b>, and a right rear drive wheel <b>18</b>. The mower <b>10</b> includes a cutting deck <b>20</b> which can be positioned behind the front wheels <b>12</b>, <b>14</b> and in front of the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. The mower <b>10</b> can include a left handle bar <b>22</b> and a right handle bar <b>24</b>. The mower <b>10</b> can include a left handle control <b>23</b> and a right handle control <b>25</b> for controlling the left/right direction, the forward/reverse direction, and/or the braking of the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. The left handle control <b>23</b> can move independently of the right handle control <b>25</b>. In some embodiments, the left and right handle controls <b>23</b>, <b>25</b> can be moved between forward, neutral, and reverse positions to control the state of the mower's transmission.

0021As also shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the mower <b>10</b> includes an engine <b>30</b> which can be mounted to an engine deck <b>32</b> or otherwise suitably mounted to the frame <b>11</b>. The mower <b>10</b> also includes a suitable transmission, such as two hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> which can be mounted to a pump deck <b>36</b>. In one embodiment, the pump deck <b>36</b> is a separate deck from the engine deck <b>32</b>. In some embodiments, the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> can independently control the speed and direction of the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. For example, each hydrostatic pump <b>34</b> can include its own drive axle corresponding to one of the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. As a result, in some embodiments, the mower <b>10</b> does not include a common drive axle that spans the width of the mower <b>10</b> between the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. However, the mower <b>10</b> can include a pump axle <b>27</b> (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5</figref>, <b>7</b>, and <b>8</b>) coupled indirectly through linkages to the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b>. As described below, the pump axle <b>27</b> can be rotated by the operator's feet, for example to control the speed of the mower <b>10</b> and/or to return the transmission to neutral, in some embodiments. As further shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a rear axis <b>28</b> can be drawn between hubs <b>29</b> of the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>.

0022In some embodiments of the invention, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the mower <b>10</b> includes a seat <b>26</b>. The seat <b>26</b> can be backless (similar to a bike or recreational vehicle seat) or the seat <b>26</b> can include a back portion. The seat <b>26</b> can be supported by one or more seat support beams <b>38</b>. The seat support beams <b>38</b> can be coupled to a handle support beam <b>40</b>. The handle support beam <b>40</b> can support each of the left and right handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> also illustrates a left pivot member <b>42</b> and a left pivot location <b>44</b> coupled to the seat <b>26</b> as described below.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side view of the mower <b>10</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates a substantially vertical plane <b>43</b> which can be defined to include the drive axis <b>28</b> (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) of the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> also illustrates a substantially horizontal plane <b>45</b> within which at least a portion of the frame <b>11</b> can be located. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the seat <b>26</b> can be positioned at an angle A with respect to the vertical plane <b>43</b> and at an angle B with respect to a horizontal plane that is substantially parallel with the horizontal plane <b>45</b> within which the frame <b>11</b> is located. In some embodiments, the angle A can be within a range of about 45 to 85 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle A can be within a range of about 70 to 75 degrees. In some embodiments, the complimentary angle B can be within a range of about 5 to 45 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle B can be within a range of about 15 to 20 degrees. In this manner, the seat <b>26</b> can include a rear portion <b>27</b> that is higher than a front portion <b>29</b>. As a result, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the operator's upper torso can lean forward at an angle C with respect to the vertical plane <b>43</b> when the operator <b>80</b> is sitting on the seat <b>26</b> and grasping the left and right handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>. The angle C can be the same as the angle B within a range of about 5 to 45 degrees or, in one embodiment, about 15 to 20 degrees.

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 8</figref> further illustrates the compact and stable nature of the mower <b>10</b>. The mower <b>10</b> can be compact by including left and right handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> that project forward from the vertical plane <b>43</b> and project over at least a rear portion <b>31</b> of the engine <b>30</b> (or the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> depending on their location). The handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> can be angled with respect to the vertical plane <b>43</b> so that the operator head clearance of the mower <b>10</b> is lower. The position of the handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> can also result in the operator's center of gravity being approximately on the vertical plane <b>43</b> or forward from the vertical plane <b>43</b>, which can substantially increase stability, especially during zero radius turns. In one embodiment, the seat <b>26</b> can be positioned behind the vertical plane <b>43</b> but the operator's center of gravity can be on or forward from the vertical plane <b>43</b>. The angle of the handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> can also result in the operator being able to remain seated during uphill operation of the mower <b>10</b> without the mower <b>10</b> tipping backwards while climbing the hill. Due to the position of the handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>, the overall height H (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) of the mower can be about 45 inches, which is substantially lower than conventional standing mowers. This lower overall height can result in the operator not having to crouch to avoid hanging obstacles, such as tree branches. The mower <b>10</b> can also be compact by including front wheels <b>12</b>, <b>14</b> that are closer to the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b> in the front-to-rear direction than conventional riding mowers. For example, the front-to-rear distance D (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) between the axis of the front wheels <b>12</b>, <b>14</b> and the axis the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b> can be about 40 inches. In addition, the overall length L (as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>) of the mower <b>10</b> can be about 68 inches, which is substantially shorter than conventional riding mowers. The mower <b>10</b> can be more stable than conventional riding or standing mowers by including at least a portion of the seat <b>26</b> within the vertical plane <b>43</b> defined by the drive axis <b>28</b> so that the operator is positioned substantially within the center of gravity of the mower <b>10</b> as the mower <b>10</b> turns. In some embodiments, the mower <b>10</b> is a substantially zero-turn radius (ZTR) mower.

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a rear view of the mower <b>10</b> illustrating the seat support beams <b>38</b> and the handle support beam <b>40</b> being coupled to one or more suspension units <b>50</b> (such as one or more hydraulic suspension units), in some embodiments of the invention. The suspension unit <b>50</b> can also be coupled to the pump axle <b>27</b>, in some embodiments, as shown and described with respect to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>.

0026As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4 and 6</figref>, the mower <b>10</b> can include a left pivot member <b>42</b> coupled to the frame <b>11</b> at a left pivot location <b>44</b> and a right pivot member <b>46</b> coupled to the frame <b>11</b> at a right pivot location <b>48</b>. In one embodiment, the left and right pivot members <b>42</b>, <b>46</b> can each be shaped to extend substantially horizontally and then diagonally rearward and downward, as shown by the left pivot member <b>42</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the left pivot member <b>42</b> can include a substantially horizontal portion <b>47</b> and a diagonal rearward portion <b>49</b>. The substantially horizontal portion <b>47</b> of the left pivot member <b>42</b>, for example, can extend to the left pivot location <b>44</b> substantially forward along the frame <b>11</b> with respect to the location of the seat <b>26</b>. For example, the horizontal portion <b>47</b> can extend to a pivot location <b>44</b> that is at substantially a mid-point of the overall front-to-rear length L of the mower <b>11</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, a point Z can be located at the intersection of the vertical plane <b>43</b> and the horizontal plane <b>45</b>. A line drawn from the point Z to the left pivot location <b>44</b> can be positioned at an angle G with respect to the horizontal plane <b>45</b>. In some embodiments, the angle G can be within a range of about positive 25 degrees to about negative 25 degrees (i.e., the left pivot location <b>44</b> can be above or below the horizontal plane <b>45</b>). In one embodiment, the angle G can be about positive 6 to 7 degrees. In this manner, the pivot members <b>42</b>, <b>46</b> can allow the seat <b>26</b> to move (e.g., substantially vertically) with respect to the frame <b>11</b> while the suspension unit <b>50</b> absorbs a portion of shock caused by riding over uneven terrain. In addition, the fore and aft movement of the operator can be minimized.

0027With the pivot members <b>42</b>, <b>46</b> and the suspension unit <b>50</b>, the seat <b>26</b> can be supported in a suspended position with respect to the frame <b>11</b>. In some embodiments, the seat <b>26</b> can also be suspended with respect to the engine deck <b>32</b>, the pump deck <b>36</b>, and/or the pump axle <b>27</b> of the mower <b>10</b>. As the mower <b>10</b> is driven over uneven terrain, the seat <b>26</b> can be allowed to move up and down as the pivot members <b>42</b>, <b>46</b> pivot about the pivot locations <b>44</b>, <b>48</b>. The movement of the seat <b>26</b> can be controlled by the suspension unit <b>50</b>. In some embodiments, the left and right handle controls <b>22</b>, <b>24</b> can be suspended with the seat <b>26</b>.

0028According to some embodiments of the invention, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3</figref>, <b>4</b>, <b>6</b>, and <b>7</b> illustrate that the mower <b>10</b> can include one or more leg supports, such as a left knee rest <b>52</b> and a right knee rest <b>54</b>. Another embodiment of a leg support can include a single support structure spanning the area in front of the operator's thighs, knees, shins, and/or ankles. Yet another embodiment of the leg support can include one or more supports that provide support to any portion of the operator's thighs, knees, shins, and/or ankles. In some embodiments, the left and right knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> can be coupled to the seat support beam <b>38</b> and/or the handle support beam <b>40</b>. When the operator sits on the seat <b>26</b>, he can rest his knees on the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b>. The knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> can be positioned at an angle with respect to the vertical plane <b>43</b> and at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane <b>45</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the left knee rest <b>52</b>, for example, can be positioned at an angle E with respect to a horizontal plane parallel to the horizontal plane <b>45</b> (within which the frame <b>11</b> is located) and at an angle F with respect to the vertical plane <b>43</b>. In some embodiments, the angle E can be about 43 to 47 degrees and the complimentary angle F can also be about 43 to 47 degrees.

0029At least a portion of the operator's body weight can be supported by the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> when the operator is sitting on the seat <b>26</b> and when the operator's knees contact the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b>. In some embodiments, the seat <b>26</b> is positioned with respect to the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> so that when the operator is sitting on the seat <b>26</b> and the operator's knees are contacting the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b>, an angle between the operator's thighs and the operator's back is about 90 degrees. In some embodiments, the seat <b>26</b> can be adjustable up and down the handle support beam <b>40</b> in order to accommodate shorter and taller operators. In one embodiment, the handle support beam <b>40</b> can include fixed holes that allow the seat <b>26</b> to be adjusted. In some embodiments, the seat <b>26</b> is positioned with respect to the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> so that when the operator is sitting on the seat <b>26</b> and the operator's knees are contacting the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b>, a substantial portion of the operator's body weight is distributed between the operator's pelvis and the operator's knees. In some embodiments, the seat <b>26</b> is positioned with respect to the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> so that when the operator is sitting on the seat <b>26</b> and the operator's knees are contacting the knee rest <b>52</b>, <b>54</b>, the operator's back, shoulders, and neck are substantially aligned. In some embodiments, the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> are suspended with the seat <b>26</b> by the suspension unit <b>50</b>. In some embodiments, the knee rests <b>52</b>, <b>54</b> are suspended with the seat <b>26</b> and the handle bars <b>22</b>, <b>24</b>.

0030In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, a left foot pedal <b>58</b> and a right foot pedal <b>60</b> can be coupled to the pump axle <b>27</b> in order to rotate the pump axle <b>27</b>. When the operator sits on the seat <b>26</b>, he can reach the foot pedals <b>58</b>, <b>60</b>. In some embodiments, the seat <b>26</b> is suspended with respect to the frame <b>11</b> but the foot pedals <b>58</b>, <b>60</b> are not suspended with respect to the frame <b>11</b>. In one embodiment, one of the foot pedals <b>58</b>, <b>60</b> can rotate the pump axle <b>27</b> to control the speed of the mower <b>10</b>, while the other one of the foot pedals <b>58</b>, <b>60</b> can rotate the pump axle <b>27</b> to return the mower <b>10</b> to neutral. In another embodiment, the pump axle <b>27</b> can include only one foot pedal <b>60</b> that can control return of the transmission to neutral.

0031As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, in some embodiments, a rear portion of the frame <b>11</b> can include a stop bar <b>56</b> positioned slightly behind the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. A portion of the mower <b>10</b> coupled to the seat <b>26</b> can include a stop member <b>62</b> that engages the stop bar <b>56</b> to prevent movement of the seat <b>26</b> beyond a lowermost position (as generally defined by the height of the seat support beams <b>38</b>). In some embodiments, the stop bar <b>56</b> can also prevent the mower <b>10</b> from tipping over completely backwards about the rear drive axis <b>28</b>.

0032As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, in one embodiment, the seat support beams <b>38</b> can be coupled to a first seat support plate <b>64</b>, a second seat support plate <b>66</b>, and a third plate <b>68</b> each positioned substantially horizontally between the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b>. The first seat support plate <b>64</b> can be angled to be at a lower elevation toward the front of the mower <b>10</b> and at a higher elevation toward the back of the mower <b>10</b>. The second seat support plate <b>66</b> can be coupled to the rear edge of the first seat support plate <b>64</b> at the higher elevation. The third plate <b>68</b> can be coupled to the forward edge of the first seat support plate <b>64</b> at the lower elevation. Triangular side walls <b>70</b> can be connected to the lateral edges of the first seat support plate <b>64</b> and the third plate <b>68</b>. In this manner, the first seat support plate <b>64</b>, the second seat support plate <b>66</b>, the third plate <b>68</b>, and the triangular side walls <b>70</b> can provide a foot rest area for the operator's feet to rest when the operator's feet are not engaging the foot pedals <b>58</b>, <b>60</b>.

0033As also shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, some embodiments of the mower <b>10</b> can include a left protection plate <b>72</b> and a right protection plate <b>74</b>. The left protection plate <b>72</b> can be coupled to the left pivot member <b>42</b>, and the right protection plate <b>74</b> can be coupled to the right pivot member <b>46</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 7</figref>, the protection plates <b>72</b>, <b>74</b> can each extend downwardly from the pivot members <b>42</b>, <b>46</b> and inwardly from the pivot bars <b>42</b>, <b>46</b>, so that the protection plates <b>72</b>, <b>74</b> are closer to the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b> at the top and further from the rear drive wheels <b>16</b>, <b>18</b> at the bottom. The protection plates <b>72</b>, <b>74</b> can also include flanges <b>76</b>, <b>78</b> coupled to the rear edges of the pivot members <b>42</b>, <b>46</b>. As further shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, in one embodiment, the protection plates <b>72</b>, <b>74</b> are not coupled to the second seat support plate <b>66</b> or the triangular side walls <b>70</b>.

0034<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates an operator <b>80</b> sitting on the seat <b>26</b> in position to operate the mower <b>10</b> according to one embodiment of the invention. The operator <b>80</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> represents an adult male in the 95^thpercentile for height (i.e., a tall adult male). The operator's knee <b>81</b> and calf <b>82</b> are positioned against the right knee rest <b>54</b>. The sole of the operator's foot <b>84</b> is positioned on the first seat support plate <b>64</b>, while the toe of the operator's foot <b>84</b> is positioned against the third plate <b>68</b>. The operator can move his right foot from this position to a position on the right foot pedal <b>60</b> (not shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>) in order to rotate the pump axle <b>27</b>. As also shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the vertical plane <b>43</b> extends upward from and perpendicular to the rear drive axis <b>28</b>. As further shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, most of the operator's body, in one embodiment, including his entire back and thighs, can be positioned rearward of the vertical plane <b>43</b>. In one embodiment, an angle I between the operator's back and the handle support beam <b>40</b> can be about 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the angle C between the operator's back and the vertical plane <b>43</b> can be about 28 degrees. The size of the operator will affect the position of the operator's body with respect to the vertical plane <b>43</b>. The human characteristics that will affect the position of the operator's body include eight, arm length, and knee-to-hip length.

0035In some embodiments, an operator presence sensor can be coupled to the seat <b>26</b>. The operator presence sensor can be in electrical communication with a safety interlock circuit that shuts down the engine <b>30</b> if the operator is not sitting on the seat <b>26</b> in certain circumstances. In one embodiment, before starting the engine <b>30</b>, the operator must be sitting on the seat <b>26</b>. Also, after the engine <b>30</b> is running, if the operator tries to stand up or get off the mower <b>10</b>, the engine <b>30</b> can automatically shut down, unless the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> are both in neutral, the parking brake is on, and the cutting blades are off. In addition, when the engine <b>30</b> is running and the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> are in forward or reverse, if the operator falls off the seat <b>26</b> or tries to stand up to operate the mower <b>10</b>, the engine <b>30</b> will automatically shut down. Finally, the operator cannot attempt to rest one knee on the seat <b>26</b> with one foot on the first or second seat support plates <b>64</b>, <b>66</b> to operate the mower <b>10</b>. If the operator attempts this, he will not be able to reach the foot pedals <b>58</b>, <b>60</b> in order to control the speed of the mower <b>10</b> and to return the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> to neutral. In this manner, the mower <b>10</b> cannot operate if the operator is not sitting on the seat <b>26</b>, according to some embodiments of the invention.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9-11</figref> illustrate a speed control lever <b>80</b> according to another embodiment of the invention. The speed control lever <b>80</b> can include a handle <b>82</b> supported by two angled bars <b>84</b>, <b>86</b>. The angled bars <b>84</b>, <b>86</b> can be coupled to a pivoting bar <b>88</b>. A speed cable mount <b>90</b> can be coupled to the pivoting bar <b>88</b>. A speed cable (not shown) can be coupled between the speed cable mount <b>90</b> and the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> in order to control the speed of the mower <b>10</b>. The pivoting bar <b>88</b> can be coupled to the handle support beam <b>40</b> with bearings <b>92</b> (such as plastic ½ inch bearings). In some embodiments, the handle controls <b>23</b>, <b>25</b> can also be used as a brake by returning the hydrostatic pumps <b>34</b> to neutral to effectively brake the mower <b>10</b>.

0037Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.